Help me buy retin A in Spain.

[ilovecherries]

Normally get private prescription but thought I could buy otc in Spain. None of the pharmacies seem to recognise 'retin A' though, although I don't think it's a language problem as they have all guided me to anti-aging skincare brands on the shelves. Is it called something else here? Should have brought a tube from home but didn't plan to use it in sun. Any idea what I should ask for?

It’s cheap here www.unitedpharmacies-uk.md/Tretin-Cream-Tretinoin-005-30g-Tube-p-2555.html

@Iced - thanks, I’m going to Spain soon - I will see if I can buy some.

I’ve got 0.025 and 0.05 retiride.
Shall I start with the 25 one?
When should I apply it?

Reporting back!

I'm in Spain for work and mentioned to a Spanish colleague that there's this wonderful anti-wrinkles cream that you need a prescription for in Britain but can be had over the counter in Spain. We just so happened to be near to a Farmacia where she just so happened to know the owner. So we went in and she translated for me... and after a bit of explaining, the pharmacist simply opened a drawer and produced two tubes of Retrides - one 0.1% and the other 0.05%. I snapped up both - 17 and 14 Euro respectively - but she said an order more and I can buy as much as I want and was kind of puzzled that it was such a big deal for me. She said you don't need a prescription at all. Interesting.

So, bouyed by this success I'm thinking of stocking up. Just wondering which formula I should buy. i'm late 40s but my skin is pretty good. I've been using The Ordinary 1% Retinol with no probs. Should I go for the 0.01 Retrides or, seeing as my skin isn't too bad, just get the 0.05? Will deffo be getting more!

Start with the lowest percentage, 0.025%, and increase slowly over several months . Tretinoin is so much more irritating than retinol.

Make sure to leave 30 minutes after washing your face in the evening before applying, any dampness will increase irritation. Then give it 20 minutes or so before applying moisturiser. If you still have irritation, you can apply moisturiser, wait 30 mins, then apply the tretinoin. Always wear sunscreen, of at least spf30, with good uva protection.

I'm on the 0.1% tretinoin from dermatica, but started with 0.025% and increased gradually, I was lucky to not get any irritation, but I have oily skin so think that helps. I also spent a fair bit of time reading up on skincare and making sure to use products that are soothing. Lots of ceramides.